Metallation enhancements in tumor-imaging and pdt therapy

ABSTRACT

A compound in the form of a metallized tetrpyrollic photosensizer linked to a fluorescent dye where the photosensitizer (PS), is linked by a structure that does not have detrimental radiation emmitance or absorbing characteristics, to a fluorophore, usually a cyanine dye (CD). The photosensitizer in accordance the invention is a metallized analog of porphyrins, chlorins, purpurinimides, bacterio pupurinimides, phthalocyanines, expanded porphyrins, benzoporphyrin derivatives and purpurins. The fluorophore is usually a cyanine dye with varaible substituents. And, A method for determining effectiveness of PDT by comparing proportion of STAT-3 monomer with crosslinked STAT-3 dimer after PDT where the relative proportion of STAT-3 monomer to crosslinked STAT-3 directly correlates to efficacy of the PDT.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/361,718, filed Jul. 6, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A major challenge of cancer therapy is preferential destruction ofmalignant cells with sparing of the normal tissue. Critical forsuccessful eradication of malignant disease are early detection andselective ablation of the malignancy. This proposal addresses bothissues.

Multiple, complementary techniques for tumor detection, includingmagnetic resonance, scintigraphic and optical imaging are under activedevelopment, each approach has particular strengths and advantages.Optical imaging includes measurement of absorption of endogenousmolecules (e.g. hemoglobin) or administered dyes, detection ofbioluminescence in preclinical models, and detection of fluorescencefrom endogenous fluorophores or from targeted exogenous molecules.Fluorescence, which involves absorption of light and re-emission at alonger wavelength, can be highly sensitive: a typical cyanine dye with alifetime of 0.6 nsec can emit up to 10³² photons/second/mole. Asensitive optical detector can image <10³ photons/second. Thus even withlow excitation power, low concentrations of fluorescent molecularbeacons can be detected.

As with other non-invasive techniques, fluorescence imaging has thepotential for performing in vivo diagnosis in situ, with real timedisplay of the resulting information [46]. Optical tomographictechniques are being devised to visualize the fluorescent probes withintissue volumes. Optical imaging instruments may be simpler and lessexpensive to operate than those required for other imaging technologies,permitting their eventual application by less specialized medicalcenters. Therapeutically in applications such as endoscopic examination,fluorescence imaging can allow precise assessment of the location andsize of a tumor, and provide information on its invasiveness. Duringdebulking surgery, where malignant loci can be difficult to identify,the presence of a fluorescent signal might assist the surgeon inidentifying the diseased site.

The optimal wavelength range for in vivo fluorescence excitation andemission is determined by tissue optical properties. Hemoglobin hasstrong absorption at wavelengths less than about 600 nm and there can besignificant background fluorescence from endogenous biomolecules up toabout 680 nm. At longer wavelengths into the near infrared (NIR), tissueabsorption and scattering decrease with wavelength. As shown in FIG. 1there is a large increase in light penetration as wavelengths increasefrom ˜600 to 800 nm. In addition, the difference between thefluorophore's absorption and emission bands (i.e. its Stokes shift),should be at least 20 nm, to readily discriminate between the excitationand emission light. Many NIR fluorescent dyes are based on carbocyaninemolecules such as indocyanine green (ICG), an FDA-approved agent with a730 nm excitation and 830 nm emission maxima. Various novel ICG analogshave been evaluated because of the high biocompatibility and desirablespectral properties of the carbocyanines.

A challenge is to deliver the dyes selectively and in high enoughconcentration to detect small tumors. Use of ICG alone to imagehypervascular or “leaky” angiogenic vessels around tumors has beendisappointing, due to the dye's limited intrinsic tumor selectivity.Multiple approaches have been employed to improve optical probelocalization, including administering it in a quenched form that isactivated within tumors, or coupling the fluorescent agents toantibodies or small molecules such as receptor ligands. Recent studieshave focused on developing dye conjugates of small bioactive molecules,to improve rapid diffusion to target tissue, incorporate combinatorialand high throughput strategies to identify and optimize new probes, andenhance in vivo stability of the compounds. Some of the peptide andfolic-acid analogs of certain ICG derivatives have shown some tumorspecificity and are at initial stages of pre-clinical studies.

Recently, a new class of multicarboxilate-containing carbocyanine probeshave been reported for use as optical scaffolds that not only serve asfluorescent antennae but also participate in structural assembly of themultivalent molecular construct. The peripheral carboxylic acids thatare distal to the chromophore core allow facile conjugation withbiomolecules and retain the desirable NIR spectral properties of thedendritic molecule. However, none of these compounds are designed forboth tumor detection and therapy. It is important to develop targetingstrategies that cope with the heterogeneity of tumors in vivo, wherethere are inconsistent and varying expression of targeable sites. Asdiscussed below,

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a clinically effective and still evolvinglocally selective therapy for cancers. PDT's utility has beendemonstrated for varying photosensitizers and multiple types of disease.It is FDA approved for early and late stage lung cancer, obstructiveesophageal cancer, high-grade dysplasia associated with Barrett'sesophagus, age-related macular degeneration and actinic keratoses. PDTemploys tumor localizing photosensitizers that produce reactive singletoxygen upon absorption of light. Subsequent oxidation-reductionreactions also can produce superoxide anions, hydrogen peroxide andhydroxyl radicals. Photosensitizers have been designed which localizerelatively specifically in certain subcellular structures such as themitochondria, which are exquisitely sensitive targets. On the tumortissue level, direct photodynamic tumor cell kill, destruction of thetumor supporting vasculature and possibly activation of the innate andadaptive anti-tumor immune system interact to destroy the malignanttissue. The preferential killing of the targeted cells (e.g. tumor),rather than adjacent normal tissues, is essential for PDT, and thepreferential target damage achieved in clinical applications is a majordriving force behind the use of the modality. The success of PDT relieson development of tumor-avid molecules that are preferentially retainedin malignant cells but cleared from normal tissues.

Clinical PDT initially was developed at Roswell Park Cancer Institutewhich has one of the world's largest basic and clinical researchprograms. Initially the RPCI group developed Photofrin®, the firstgeneration FDA approved hematoporphyrin-based compound. Subsequently,our group has investigated the structure activity relationships fortumor selectivity and photosensitizing efficacy, and used theinformation to design new photosensitizers with high selectivity anddesirable pharmacokinetics. Although the mechanism of porphyrinretention by tumors in not well understood, the balance betweenlipophilicity and hydrophilicity is recognized as an important factor.In efforts to develop effective photosensitizers with the requiredphotophysical characteristics, chlorophyll-a and bacteriochlorophyll-awere as the substrates. An extensive QSAR study on a series of the alkylether derivatives of pyropheophorbide-a (660 nm) led to selection of thebest candidate, HPPH (hexyl ether derivative), [98, 99] currently inpromising Phase II clinical trials. Our PS development currently isbeing extended in purpurinimide (700 nm) and bacteriopurpurinimde(780-800 nm) series with high singlet oxygen (¹O₂) producing capability.The long wavelength absorption is important for treating largedeep-seated tumors, because it both increases light penetration andminimizes the number of optical fibers needed for light delivery withinthe tumor.

Some of these compounds are highly tumor avid. As shown in FIG. 18 inthe Preliminary Data, with an optimized system, 48 and 72 h afteradministration, ratios of ˜6:1 and 10:1 between the tumor andsurrounding muscle and other body sites have been achieved, except forthe liver, spleen and kidney. This in vivo selectivity is 2-3 foldgreater than that reported for a carbocyanine dye coupled to asomatostatin analog.

Photosensitizers (PS), especially tetrapyrollic photosensitizers such asporphyrins, are not optimal for tumor detection. Examples of suchtetrapyrollic photosensitizers are intended to include include modifiedchlorines, bacteriochlorins, hematoporphyrins, porphyrins, purpurins,purpurin imides, and pyropheophorbides. All of the foregoing arereferred to herein as porphyrins. Examples of such photodynamiccompounds are described in numerous patents in this area that have beenapplied for and granted world wide on these photodynamic compounds.Reference may be had, for example to the following U.S. Patents whichare incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,649,151;4,866,168; 4,889,129; 4,932,934; 4,968,715; 5,002,962; 5,015,463;5,028,621; 5,145,863; 5,198,460; 5,225,433; 5,314,905; 5,459,159;5,498,710; and 5,591,847.

Such photsensitizers generally fluoresce and the fluorescence propertiesof these porphyrins in vivo has been exploited by several investigatorsfor the detection of early-stage cancers in the lung, bladder andvarious other sites. In addition, for treatment of early disease or fordeep seated tumors the fluorescence can be used to guide the activatinglight. However, such photosensitizers are not optimal fluorophores fortumor detection for several reasons: (i) They have low quantum yields.Because the excited state energy is transferred to the triplet state andthen to molecular oxygen, efficient photosensitizers tend to have lowerfluorescence efficiency (quantum yield) than compounds designed to befluorophores, such as cyanine dyes. (ii) They have small Stokes shifts.Porphyrin-based photosensitizers have a relatively small differencebetween the long wavelength absorption band and the fluorescencewavelength (Stokes shift), which makes it technically difficult toseparate the fluorescence from the excitation wavelength. (iii) Theyhave relatively short fluorescent wavelengths, <800 nm, which are notoptimal for deep tissue penetration.

Bifunctional photosensitizer-flurophore conjugates can optimize tumordetection and treatment. Certain bifunctional conjugates have beenrecently developed that use tumor-avid photo sensitizers to target theNIR fluorophores to the tumor. The function of the fluorophore is tovisualize the tumor location and treatment site. The presence of thephotosensitizer allows subsequent tumor ablation. A compound thateffectively functions both as a fluorescence imaging agent and aphotosensitizer would create an entirely new paradigm for tumordetection and therapy. The optical imaging allows the clinicianperforming photodynamic therapy to continuously acquire and displaypatient data in real-time. This “see and treat” approach may determinewhere to treat superficial carcinomas and how to reach deep-seatedtumors in sites such as the breast with optical fibers delivering thephotoactivating light.

Metallized photodynamic compounds have shown promise in in vivo PDTefficacy and fluorescence imaging potential. However, the therapeuticdose was significantly higher than the therapeutic dose and aconsiderable fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) was observedbetween the two chromophores.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graph showing results of treatment of tumors in mice withHPPH-cyanine dye(CD) conjugate in different concentrations.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing results of treatment of tumors in mice withmetal chelates of HPPH-cyanine dye(CD) conjugates.

FIG. 3 shows electrophoresis gels of relative proportions of STAT-3dimers and STAT-3 monomers after treatment with compounds of theinvention.

FIG. 4 shows fluorescence images of tumors with HPPH-CD alone comparedwith complexes of In, Ga, and Pd.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

We used two approaches to solve the above problems.

-   (i) To introduce those metals in the photosensitizers, which are    known for enhancing the singlet oxygen yields, and-   (ii) to link the chromophores with variable linkers (flexible or    rigid) and investigate the effect of the length of linkers in FRET    its correlation with PDT.

In particular, we prepared a novel compound in the form of a metallizedtetrpyrollic photosensizer linked to a fluorescent dye.

Compounds of the invention have the general formula:

where R₁ is, substituted or unsubstituted, —CH═CH₂, —CHO, COON, or

where R₉═—OR₁₀ where R₁₀ is lower alkyl of 1 through 8 carbon atoms, or—(CH₂—O)_(n)CH₃; R₂, R_(2a), R₃, R_(3a), R₄, R₅, R_(5a), R₇, and R_(7a)are independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, loweralkylene or substituted lower alkylene or two R₂, R_(2a), R₃, and R_(3a)groups on adjacent carbon atoms may be taken together to form a covalentbond or two R₂, R_(2a), R₃, R_(3a), R₅, R_(5a), R₇, and R_(7a) groups onthe same carbon atom may form a double bond to a divalent pendant group;R₂ and R₃ may together form a 5 or 6 membered heterocyclic ringcontaining oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur; R₆ is —CH₂—, —NR₁₁—, where R₁₁is, substituted or unsubstituted, lower alkyl, or lower alkylene; or aR₆ is a covalent bond; R₈ is —(CH₂)₂CO₂R₁₂ where R₁₂ is a non-toxicfluorescent dye group that causes the conjugate to preferentially emit(fluoresce) at a wave length of 800 to about 900 nm and M is In, Ga orPd.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The compound in accordance with the invention is a photosensitizer (PS),linked by essentially any structure that does not have detrimentalradiation emmitance or absorbing characteristics, to a fluorophore,usually a cyanine dye (CD). The photosensitizer in accordance theinvention is a metallized analog of porphyrins, chlorins,purpurinimides, bacterio pupurinimides, phthalocyanines, expandedporphyrins, benzoporphyrin derivatives and purpurins.

The fluorophore is usually a cyanine dye with varaible substituents.

Structures, photophysical, tumor-imaging characteristics and in vivoefficacy of the metallated analogs of the HPPH-Cyanine dye conjugates:

Indium, Gallium and Palladium Analogs of HPPH-Cyanine Dye Conjugate:

HPPH-CD Conjugate

HPPH-CD Linked with Variable Length of Carbon Linkages:

Insertion of metal (In, Ga and Pd) in HPPH-CD conjugate enhances PDTeffects. Among the metallated analogs, the corresponding In(III) analogproduced the best efficacy and was almost 8-fold more effective than thenon metallated derivative. See FIGS. 1 and 2.

STAT-3 dimerization can be used as biomarker to monitor the PDTresponse. As seen in FIG. 3, photoreactions mediated by HPPH-CD andmetallated derivatives. BCC1 cells were used for determining the levelof photoreaction resulting in the oxidative crosslinking of STAT3. Theuptake of the compounds was carried out under two conditions. The HPPHderivatives were diluted to 400 nM in culture medium containing 10%fetal calf serum and added to subconfluent monolayer cultures of humanbasal cell carcinoma (BCC-1) cells. The cells were incubated for 2.5hours at 37° C. Alternatively, the HPPH-derivatives were diluted to 20nM in serum-free medium and added to BCC-1 cells that had beenpreincubated for 1.5 hours in serum-free medium. The cells wereincubated for 1 hour at 37° C. Following uptake, the cells were washed 3times with serum-free medium and exposed at 37° C. for 9 min to light atthe indicated wavelength. In each case, the total fluence was 3 J/cm².Cells were immediately extracted with RIPA buffer. Aliquots of thelysates containing 20 μg protein were analyzed by western blotting forthe level of STAT3 proteins (one representative exposure of theimmunoblots is reproduced). The enhanced chemiluminescence signals forSTAT3 monomeric and crosslinked STAT3 were quantified and the relativeamount of crosslinked dimeric STAT3 was expressed as percentage of thetotal STAT3 signal (indicated above each lane in the figure).

As seen in FIG. 4, in contrast to HPPH-CD where the therapeutic dose wasalmost 10-fold higher than the tumor-imaging dose. The metallatedanalogs showed a great potential for PDT and tumor-imaging at the samedose, which was almost 8-fold lower than the therapeutic dose ofHPPH-cyanine dye.

The Synthesis of Compound Code No. 762:

HPPH-Cyanine dye conjugate (100 mg), indium chloride (300 mg) and sodiumbicarbonate (600mg) were put in the solvent mixture of toluene (60 ml)and ethanol (20 ml). The reaction mixture was refluxed for 1 hour. Afterevaporation, the residue was purified by chromatography usingMeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:4) as the elute solvent and the title compound wasobtained in ˜80% yield. UV-vis in MeOH: 835 nm (ε=159430), 646 nm(ε=56500), 602 nm (ε=12425), 563 nm (ε=8762), 416 nm (ε=75074). NMR(CHCl₃), δ (ppm) for compound 762: 9.87 (ss looks like a doublet, 1H,meso-H in HPPH part), 9.70 (s, 1H, meso-H in HPPH part), 8.39 (s, 1H,meso-H in HPPH part), 7.98 (m, 4H, aromatic-H of cyanine dye), 7.84 (brs, 4H, aromatic-H of cyanine dye), 7.50 (br s, 4H, aromatic-H of cyaninedye), 7.37 (br s, 4H, ═CH— of cyanine dye), 7.07 (m, 4H, 4H of thelinker phenyl group), 5.78 (m, 1H, H-3¹), 5.17 (m, 1H, H-17), 5.03 (m,1H, H-18), 4.60 (m, 2H, H-13²), 4.40 (m, 2H, N⁺—CH₂), 4.01 (br, 10H, 2Hfor N—CH₂, 2H for H-17¹, 4H for —CH₂SO₃, 2H for —OC*H₂(CH₂)₄CH₃), 3.78(s, 3H, 7-CH₃), 3.59 (s, 3H, 12-CH₃), 3.68-3.45 (m, 6H, 4H forSO₃—CH₂C*H₂—(CH₂)₂, 2H for 8-C*H₂CH₃), 3.34, (m, 2H, H-17²), 3.31 (s,3H, 2-CH₃), 3.12 (m, 4H, SO₃—(CH₂)₂C*H₂—CH₂), 2.04 (m, 11H, 3H for3-CH₃, 2H for —OCH₂C*H₂(CH₂)₃CH₃), 1.73 (s, 12H, 4X—CH₃ of cyanine dye),1.33 (m, 3H, 18-CH₃), 1.26 (m, 3H, 8-CH₂C*H₃), 1.15 (in, 6H,—O(CH₂)₂(C*H₂)₃CH₃), 0.71 (m, 3H, —O(CH₂)₅C*H₃). MS for 762: Calculatedfor C₉₁H₁₀₂N₇O₉S₃InCl: 1682.6, Found: 1682.5.

The Synthesis of Compound Ga(Cl)-776:

HPPH-CD (100 mg), gallium chloride (400 mg) and sodium bicarbonate (400mg) were put in the solvent mixture of toluene (65 ml) and ethanol (25ml). The reaction mixture was refluxed for 30 minutes. Afterevaporation, the residue was purified by chromatography usingMeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:4) as the elute solvent and the title compound wasobtained in ˜45% yield. UV-vis in MeOH: 839 nm (ε=159183), 649 nm(ε=55102), 606 nm (ε=12505), 563 nm (ε=8767), 419 nm (ε=144002). NMR(CHCl₃), δ (ppm) for compound 776:9.70 (s, 1H, meso-H in HPPH part),9.22 (s, 1H, meso-H in HPPH part), 8.64 (s, 1H, meso-H in HPPH part),8.12 (m, 4H, aromatic-H of cyanine dye), 8.02 (br s, 4H, aromatic-H ofcyanine dye), 7.73 (br s, 4H, aromatic-H of cyanine dye), 7.46 (br s,4H, ═CH— of cyanine dye), 7.18 (m, 4H, 4H of the linker phenyl group),5.79 (m, 1H, H-3¹), 5.19 (m, 1H, H-17), 5.01 (m, 1H, H-18), 4.63 (m, 2H,H-13²), 4.45(m, 2H, N⁺—CH₂), 4.07 (br, 10H, 2H for N—CH₂, 2H for H-17¹,4H for —CH₂SO₃, 2H for —OC*H₂(CH₂)₄CH₃), 3.79 (s, 3H, 7-CH₃), 3.55 (s,3H, 12-CH₃), 3.69-3.44 (m, 6H, 4H for SO₃—CH₂C*H₂—(CH₂)₂, 2H for8-C*H₂CH₃), 3.32, (m, 2H, H-17²), 3.36 (s, 3H, 2-CH₃), 3.12 (m, 4H,SO₃—(CH₂)₂C*H₂—CH₂), 2.02 (m, 11H, 3H for 3-CH₃, 2H for—OCH₂C*H₂(CH₂)₃CH₃), 1.75 (s, 12H, 4X—CH₃ of cyanine dye), 1.31 (m, 3H,18-CH₃), 1.24 (m, 3H, 8-CH₂C*H₃), 1.17 (m, 6H, —O(CH₂)₂(C*H₂)₃CH₃), 0.73(m, 3H, —O(CH₂)₅C*H₃). MS for 776: Calculated for C₉₁H₁₀₂N₇O₉S₃GaCl:1636.6, Found: 1636.1.

The Synthesis of Compound 777:

HPPH-Cyanine dye (100 mg), L-ascorbic acid 6-palmitate (220 mg), andpalladium acetate (160 mg) were put into the solvent mixture of methanol(80 ml) and chloroform (80 ml). Under argon the reaction mixture wasstirred overnight at room temperature. After work-up and evaporation,the residue was purified by chromatography using MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:5) asthe elute solvent and the title compound was obtained in ˜85% yield.UV-vis in MeOH: 839 nm (ε=132340), 635 nm (ε=65069), 589 nm (ε=11949),536 nm (ε=9091), 415 nm (ε=59484), 389.9 nm (ε=62212). NMR (CHCl₃), δ(ppm) for compound 777: 9.75 (s, 1H, meso-H in HPPH part), 9.61 (s, 1H,meso-H in HPPH part), 8.45 (s, 1H, meso-H in HPPH part), 7.72 (m, 4H,aromatic-H of cyanine dye), 7.53 (br s, 4H, aromatic-H of cyanine dye),7.12 (br s, 4H, aromatic-H of cyanine dye), 6.93 (br s, 4H, ═CH— ofcyanine dye), 6.80 (m, 4H, 4H of the linker phenyl group), 5.64 (m, 1H,H-3¹), 5.32 (m, 1H, H-17), 5.02 (m, 1H, H-18), 4.64 (m, 2H, H-13²),4.47(m, 2H, N⁺—CH₂), 4.09 (br, 10H, 211 for N—CH₂, 2H for H-17¹, 4H for—CH₂SO₃, 2H for —OC*H₂(CH₂)₄CH₃), 3.76 (s, 3H, 7-CH₃), 3.57 (s, 3H,12-CH₃), 3.67-3.46 (m, 6H, 4H for SO₃—CH₂C*H₂—(CH₂)₂, 2H for 8-C*H₂CH₃),3.35, (m, 2H, H-17²), 3.31 (s, 3H, 2-CH₃), 3.16 (m, 4H,SO₃—(CH₂)₂C*H₂—CH₂), 2.05 (m, 11H, 3H for 3-CH₃, 2H for—OCH₂C*H₂(CH₂)₃CH₃), 1.73 (s, 12H, 4X—CH₃ of cyanine dye), 1.34 (m, 3H,18-CH₃), 1.21 (m, 3H, 8-CH₂C*H₃), 1.15 (m, 6H, —O(CH₂)₂(C*H₂)₃CH₃), 0.71(m, 3H, —O(CH₂)₅C*H₃). MS for 777: Calculated for C₉₁H₁₀₂N₇O₉S₃Pd:1638.6, Found: 1638.5.

Amino Diethyl Analog of HPPH:

HPPH (100.0 mg, 0.157 mmol) was taken in a dry RBF (50.0 ml) anddissolved in dry dichloromethane (30.0 ml). To this,N-BOC-ethylenediamine (50.3 mg, 0.314 mmol),N-Ethyl-N′-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (60.2 mg,0.314 mmol) and 4-dimethylamino pyridine (38.36 mg, 0.314 mmol) wereadded and the resultant mixture was stirred for 12 hr at roomtemperature under N₂ atmosphere. Reaction mixture was then diluted withdichloromethane (50.0 ml) and washed with brine (50 ml). Organic layerseparated, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated. Product waspurified over silica gel column using 1-3% methanol-dichloromethane asmobile phase. Yield: 105.0 mg (85.9%). UV-vis λ_(max)(in CH₂Cl₂): 661 nm(α 5.0×10⁴), 604 nm (ε 0.8×10⁴), 537 nm (ε 0.9×10⁴), 505 nm (ε 0.9×10⁴),and 410 nm (ε 10.5×10⁴). ¹HNMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 9.76 (singlet, 1H,meso-H), 9.21 (singlet, 1H, meso-H), 8.52 (singlet, 1H, meso-H), 6.12(brs, 1H, NH), 5.92 (m, 1H, CH₃CHOhexyl), 5.29 (d, 1H, 15¹-C*HH, J=19.6Hz), 5.09 (d, 1H, 15¹-CH*H, J=20.0 Hz), 4.85 (brs, 1H, NH), 4.52 (q, 1H,17-H, J=7.6 Hz), 4.30 (d, 1H, H-18, J=5.2 Hz), 3.62-3.61 (m, 4H,8-C*H₂CH₃ & —OC*H₂-Hexyl), 3.38 (singlet, 3H, ring-CH₃), 3.28 (singlet,3H, ring-CH₃), 3.28 (singlet, 3H, ring-CH₃), 3.18 (in, 2H, —(NHCH₂)₂—),3.08 (m, 2H, —(NHCH₂)₂—), 2.65 (m, 1H, 17²-C*HH), 2.45 (m, 1H,17²-CH*H), 2.30 (m, 1H, 17¹-CHH), 2.13 (d, 3H, C*H₃CH-Ohexyl, J=7.2 Hz),2.05 (m, 1H, 17¹- C*HH), 1.80 (d, 3H, 18-CH₃, J=7.2 Hz), 1.75 (m, 2H,—CH₂-Hexyl), 1.63 (t, 3H, 8-CH₂C*H₃, J=7.2 Hz), 1.43 (m, 2H,—CH₂-Hexyl), 1.24 (m, 4H, −2CH₂-Hexyl), 1.21 (s, 9H, NH-Boc), 0.80 (t,3H, CH₃-Hexyl, J=6.8 Hz), 0.45 (brs, 1H, NH), −1.65 (brs, 1H, NH). MScalculated for C₄₆H₆₂N₆O₅ 779.02. EIMS: 779.3 (M⁺).

Aminohexane Analog of HPPH:

HPPH (100.0 mg, 0.157 mmol) was taken in a dry RBF (50.0 ml) anddissolved in dry dichloromethane (30.0 ml). To this, N-BOC-1,6diaminohexane (60.0 mg, 0.31 mmol), N-Ethyl-N′-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (70.0 mg, 0.31 mmol) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (38.36 mg, 0.314 mmol) were added and the resultant mixture wasstirred for 12 hr at room temperature under N₂ atmosphere. Reactionmixture was then diluted with dichloromethane (50.0 ml) and washed withbrine (50 ml). Organic layer separated, dried over sodium sulfate andconcentrated. Product was purified over silica gel column using 1-3%methanol-dichloromethane as mobile phase. Yield: 105.0 mg (85.9%).UV-vis λ_(max) (in CH₂Cl₂): 661 nm (ε 5.0×10⁴), 604 nm (ε 0.8×10⁴), 537nm (ε 0.9×10⁴), 505 nm (ε 0.9×10⁴), and 410 nm (ε 10.5×10⁴).¹HNMR (400MHz, CDCl₃): δ 9.76 (singlet, 1H, meso-H), 9.15 (singlet, 1H, meso-H),8.50 (singlet, 1H, meso-H), 5.92 (m, 1H, CH₃C*HOhexyl), 5.20 (d, 1H,15¹-C*HH, J=19.6 Hz), 5.09 (d, 1H, 15¹-CH*H, J=20.0 Hz), 4.52 (q, 1H,17-H, J=7.6 Hz), 4.30 (d, 1H, H-18, J=5.2 Hz), 3.62-3.61 (m, 4H,8-C*H₂CH₃ & —OC*H₂-Hexyl), 3.38 (singlet, 3H, ring-CH₃), 3.28 (singlet,3H, ring-CH₃), 3.28 (singlet, 3H, ring-CH₃), 3.18 (m, 2H, —(NHCH₂)₂-),3.08 (m, 2H, —(NHCH₂)₂-), 2.65 (m, 1H, 17²-CHH), 2.45 (m, 1H, 17²-CH*H),2.30 (m, 1H, 17¹- C*HH), 2.13 (d, 3H, C*H₃CH—Ohexyl, J=7.2 Hz), 1.95 (m,1H, 17¹-C*HH), 1.80 (d, 3H, 18-CH₃, J=7.2 Hz), 1.75 (m, 2H, —CH₂-Hexyl),1.63 (t, 3H, 8-CH₂CH ₃, J=7.2 Hz), 1.43 (m, 2H, —CH₂— Hexyl), 1.40-1.31(m, 8H, —(NH CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂NH), 1.24 (m, 4H, 2CH₂-Hexyl), 1.21 (s,9H, NH-Boc), 0.80 (t, 3H, CH₃-Hexyl, J=6.8 Hz), 0.45 (brs, 1H, NH),−1.65 (brs, 1H, NH). MS calculated for C₅₀H₇₀N₆O₅ 835.13 EIMS: 835.8(M⁺).

HPPH-Cyanine Dye Joined with a Short Linker (Without Any Metal):

HPPH-N-Boc ethylenediamine (35.0 mg, 0.052 mmol) was taken in a dry RBF(50.0 ml) and stirred with 50% TFA/DCM (5.0 ml) at RT for 3 hr.Resultant mixture was concentrated and dried under high vacuum to removetrace of TFA. The crude thus obtained was dissolved in anhy. DMF (25 ml)and cyanine dye (50.0 mg, 0.052 mmol), BOP (30.0 mg, 0.067 mmol) andtriethyl amine (3-4 drops) were added and the resultant mixture wasstirred for 12 hr at room temperature under N₂ atmosphere. Solvent wasremoved under vacuum and the product was purified over preparativeplates using 15% methanol-dichloromethane to yield the compound in 35%yield. UV-vis λ_(max) (in MeOH): 838.9 nm (ε 2.04×10⁵), 659.9 nm (ε5.13×10⁴), 607.0 nm (ε 1.16×10⁴), 538 nm (ε 1.0×10⁴), 408 nm (ε 8.1×10⁴)¹HNMR (400 Mhz, CD₃OD): 9.73 (s, 1H, H-5 of HPPH part), 9.35 (s, 1H,H-10 of HPPH part), 8.50-8.45 (m, 2H, aromatic protons of cyanine dyepart), 8.40 (s, 1H, H-20 of HPPH part,), 7.73-7.67 (m, 4H, aromaticprotons of cyanine dye part), 7.65-7.62 (m, 2H), 7.44-7.42 (m, 2H),7.37-7.21 (m, 6H), 7.14-7.11 (m, 2H), 6.76-6.74 (d, 2H), 5.91-5.90 (m,1H, 3¹-H of HPPH part), 5.07-5.07 (m, 18-H of HPPH part), 5.02-4.99 (m,17-H of HPPH part), 4.26 (d, 1H, 13 C*HH of HPPH part), 3.92 (d, 2H, 13CH*H of HPPH part), 3.62-3.54 (m, 6H, 2H for —NC*H₂(CH₂)₃SO₃ ⁻, and 2Hfor —NC*H₂(CH₂)₃SO₃ ⁻ and 2H for 8-C*H₂CH₃, 3.45-3.44 (overlapped, 6H,2H for 3¹-OC*H₂(CH₂)₄CH₃ of HPPH part, 4H for 2X—N(CH₂)₃C*H₂SO₃ ⁻), 3.33(s, 311, 7-CH₃ of HPPH), 3.31 (s, 3H, 2-CH₃), 3.19 (s,3H,12-CH₃),2.83-2.81 (m, 2H for 17-CH₂C*H₂CO—), 2.68-2.63 (m, 12H, 8H for2X—NCH₂(C*H₂)₂CH₂SO₃ ⁻ of cyanine dye part, 4H for —CONHC*H₂C*H₂NHCO—),2.43-2.63 (m, 2H for 17-C*H₂CH₂CO—), 2.10-2.10 (overlapped with otherpeaks, 311, 3²-CH₃ of HPPH part), 1.65-1.57 (m, 6H, cyclohexene-(CH ₇)₃—of cyanine dye part), 1.53-1.50 (m, 3H for 18-CH₃), 1.29-1.12(overlapped, 17H, 12H for 4X—CH₃ of cyanine dye part, 2H for3¹-OCH₂C*H₂(CH₂)₃CH₃ of HPPH part, 3H for 8-CH₂C*H₃ of HPPH part),1.17-1.14 (m, 6H for 3¹-O(CH₂)₂(C*H₂)₃CH₃), 0.66 (m, 3H for3¹-OCH₂(CH₂)₄C*H₃). MS calculated for C₉₄H₁₀₈N₈O₁₀S₃ 1628 EIMS (m/z):1650 (M⁺+Na).

Synthesis of HPPH-CD Linked with a Long, Without Any Metal):

HPPH-N-Boc hexyldiamine (38.0 mg, 0.052 mmol) was taken in a dry RBF(50.0 ml) and stirred with 50% TFA/DCM (5.0 ml) at RT for 3 hr.Resultant mixture was concentrated and dried under high vacuum to removetrace of TFA. The crude thus obtained was dissolved in anhy. DMF (25 ml)and cyanine dye (50.0 mg, 0.052 mmol), BOP (30.0 mg, 0.067 mmol) andtriethyl amine (3-4 drops) were added and the resultant mixture wasstirred for 12 hr at room temperature under N₂ atmosphere. Solvent wasremoved under vacuum and the product was purified over preparativeplates using 15% methanol-dichloromethane to yield the compound in 35%yield. UV-vis λ_(max) (in MeOH): 838.1 nm (ε 2.23×10⁵), 661.0 nm (ε5.34×10⁴), 609.0 nm (ε 1.02×10⁴), 538 nm (ε 8.79×10⁴), 408 nm (ε9.07×10⁵) ¹HNMR (400MHz, CD₃OD): 9.65 (s, 1H, H-5 of HPPH part), 8.93(s, 1H, H-10 of HPPH part), 8.75-832 (m, 3H, 1H, H-20 of HPPH part, 2H,aromatic protons of cyanine dye part), 7.76 (m, 2H, aromatic protons ofcyanine dye part), 7.70-7.67 (m, 4H, aromatic protons of cyanine dyepart), 7.46-7.43 (m, 2H,), 7.30-7.29 (m, 2H), 7.20-7.19 (m, 4H)6.87-6.83 (m, 2H), 5.98 (d, 2H), 5.84-5.86 (m, 1H, 3¹-H of HPPH part),5.01-4.99 (m, 18-H of HPPH part), 4.80-4.77 (m, 17-H of HPPH part), 4.38(d, 1H, 13 C*HH of HPPH part), 4.05 (d, 1H, 13 CH*H of HPPH part),3.70-3.60 (m, 2H, —NC*H₂(CH₂)₃SO₃ ⁻), 3.50-3.45 (m, 2H, —NC*H₂(CH₂)₃SO₃⁻), 3.38-3.35 (overlapped, 5H, 3H of 7-CH₃ of HPPH and 2H of 8-C*H₂CH₃),3.33-3.45 (overlapped, 81-1, 211 for 3¹-OC*H₂(CH₂)₄CH₃ of HPPH part, 3Hof 2-CH₃ and 3H of 12-CH₃), 3.25-3.15 (m, 6H, 2H for 17-CH₂C*H₂CO— and4H for 2X—N(CH₂)₃C*H₂SO₃), 2.80-2.65 (m, 12H, 8H for2X—NCH₂(C*H₂)₂CH₂SO₃ ⁻ of cyanine dye part, 4H for—CONHC*H₂(CH₂)₄CH₂NHCO—), 2,30-2.22 (2H for 17-C*H₂CH₂CO), 2.13-2.08(overlapped with other peaks, 3H, 3²-CH₃ of HPPH part), 1.75-1.60 (m,9H, 6H for cyclohexene-(C*H₂)₃— of cyanine dye part, and 3H for 18-CH₃),1.49-1.36 (overlapped, 17H, 12H for 4X—CH₃ of cyanine dye part, 311 for8-CH₂C*H₃ of HPPH part), 2H for 3¹-OCH₂C*H₂(CH₂)₃CH₃ of HPPH part),1.35-1.15 (m, 14H, 6H for 3¹-O(CH₂)₂(C*H₂)₃CH₃, 8H for—CONHCH₂(C*H₂)₄CH₂NHCO—), 0.65 (m, 3H for 3¹-OCH₂(CH₂)₄C*H₃). MScalculated for C₉₈H₁₁₆N₈O₁₀S₃ 1684 EIMS (m/z): 1706 (M⁺+Na).

Synthesis of (HPPH-CD Linked with a Long Linker, Without) 731:

To a round bottom flask the foregoing conjugate (25 mg) in tolune (50ml) and DMF (1-2 ml) was added Indium chloride (75 mg) and sodiumbicarbonate (150 mg). Mixture was refluxed for 3 hours under argon. Thesolvent was removed under vacuum and the product was purified overpreparative plates using 15% methanol-dichloromethane to yield thecompound in 65% yield. UV-vis λ_(max) (in MeOH): 836.0 nm (ε 1.91×10⁵),646.0 nm (ε 7.55×10⁴), 602.0 nm (ε1.20×10⁴), 564 nm (κ 6.79×10⁴), 417 nm(ε 9.30×10⁵) ¹HNMR (400 Mhz, CH₃OD): 10.07 (s, 1H, H-5 of HPPH part),9.90 (s, 1H, H-10 of HPPH part), 8.75-8.72 (m, 3H, 1H, H-20 of HPPHpart, 2H, aromatic protons of cyanine dye part), 8.07 (m, 2H, aromaticprotons of cyanine dye part), 7.93-7.89 (m, 4H, aromatic protons ofcyanine dye part), 7.55-7.40 (m, 8H), 7.18-7.17 (m, 2H), 6.29 (d, 2H),5.83-5.80 (m, 1H, 3¹-H of HPPH part), 5.33-5.28 (m, 18-H of HPPH part),5.09-5.05 (m, 17-H of HPPH part), 4.25-4.15 (m, 2H, 13²-H of HPPH part),3.90-3.88 (m, 2H, —NC*H₂(CH₂)₃SO₃ ⁻), 3.73-3.70 (bs, 5H, 2H for—NC*H₂(CH₂)₃SO₃ ⁻, 3H and 7-CH₃ of HPPH), 3.61-3.57 (m, 2H, 8-C*H₂CH₃),3.38-3.35 (overlapped, 6H, 2H for 3¹-OC*H₂(CH₂)₄CH₃ of HPPH part, 4H for2X—N(CH₂)₃C*H₂SO₃ ⁻), 3.40 (s, 6H, 2-CH₃ and 12-CH₃), 3.34-3.11 (m, 4Hfor 17-C*H₂C*H₂CO—), 2.85-2.44 (m, 12H, 8H for 2X—NCH₂(C*H₂)₂CH₂SO₃ ⁻ ofcyanine dye part, 4H for —CONHC*H₂C*H₂NHCO—), 2.12-2.10 (overlapped withother peaks, 3H, 3²-CH₃ of HPPH part), 1.90 (m, 6H, cyclohexene-(C*H₂)₃-of cyanine dye part), 1.82 (d, 3H for 18-CH₃), 1.79-1.72 (overlapped,17H, 12H for 4X—CH₃ of cyanine dye part, 3H for 8-CH₂C*H₃ of HPPH part,2H for 3¹-OCH₂C*H₂(CH₂)₃CH₃ of HPPH part), 1.33-1.11 (m, 6H for3¹-O(CH₂)₂(C*H₂)₃CH₃, 0.71 (t, 3H for 3¹-OCH₂(CH₂)₄C*H₃) MS calculatedfor C₉₄H₁₀₆ClInN₈O₁₀S₃ 1754.36 EIMS (m/z): 1754.7 (M⁺).

Synthesis of In(III) Complex of HPPH-CD Linked with a Long Linker 771:

To a round bottom flask containing HPPH-CD linked with a long carbonchain (25 mg) in tolune (50 ml) and DMF (1-2 ml) was added Indiumchloride (75 mg) and sodium bicarbonate (150 mg).ture was refluxed for 3hours under argon. The solvent was removed under vacuum and the productwas purified over preparative plates using 15% methanol-dichloromethaneto yield the compound in 70% yield. UV-vis λ_(max) (in MeOH): 836.0 nm(ε 1.98×10⁵), 646.0 nm (ε 7.33×10⁴), 602.0 nm (ε 1.24×10⁴), 565 nm (ε6.79×10⁴), 418.1 nm (ε 9.57×10⁵) ¹HNMR (400 Mhz, CH₃OD): 10.08 (s, 1H,H-5 of HPPH part), 9.91 (s, 1H, H-10 of HPPH part), 8.83-8.75 (m, 3H,1H, H-20 of HPPH part, 2H, aromatic protons of cyanine dye part), 8.09(m, 2H, aromatic protons of cyanine dye part), 7.94-7.91 (m, 4H,aromatic protons of cyanine dye part), 7.71-7.66 (2H, protons of cyaninedye part), 7.58-7.50 (m, 4H), 7.43 (t, 2H), 7.35-7.32 (m, 2H), 6.32 (d,2H), 5.85 (m, 1H, 3¹-H of HPPH part), 5.29-5.34 (m, 18-H of HPPH part),5.03 (m, 17-H of HPPH part), 4.26-4.22 (m, 2H, 13²-H of HPPH part),3.92-3.90 (m, 2H, —NC*H₂(CH₂)₃SO₃ ⁻), 3.75-3.73 (m, 2H, —NC*H₂(CH₂)₃SO₃⁻), 3.69 (s, 3H, 7-CH₃ of HPPH), 3.63-3.58 (m, 2H, 8-C*H₂CH₃), 3.33-3.40(overlapped, 6H, 2H for 3¹-OC*H₂(CH₂)₄CH₃ of HPPH part, 4H for2X—N(CH₂)₃C*H₂SO₃ ⁻), 3.40 (s, 3H, 2-CH₃), 3.34 (s, 3H, 12-CH₃),3.20-3.18 (m, 2H for 17-C*H₂CH₂CO—), 2.94-2.66 (m, 14H, 8H for2X—NCH₂(C*H₂)₂CH₂SO₃ ⁻of cyanine dye part, 2H for 17-CH₂C*H₂CO—, 4H for—CONHC*H₂(CH₂)₄C*H₂NHCO—), 2.13-2.08 (overlapped with other peaks, 3H,3²-CH₃ of HPPH part), 1.97-1.96 (m, 6H, cyclohexene-(C*H₂)₃- of cyaninedye part), 1.88 (d, 3H for 18-CH₃), 1.80-1.76 (overlapped, 17H, 12H for4X—CH₃ of cyanine dye part, 3H for 8-CH₂C*H₃ of HPPH part), 2H for3¹-OCH₂C*H₂(CH₂)₃CH₃ of HPPH part), 1.33-1.11 (m, 14H, 6H for3¹-O(CH₂)₂(C*H₂)₃CH₃, 8H for —CONHCH₂(C*H₂)₄CH₂NHCO—), 0.75-0.70 (m, 311for 3¹-OCH₂(CH₂)₄C*H₃. MS calculated for C₉₈H₁₁₄ClInN₈O₁₀S₃ 1810.4 EIMS(m/z): 1775.5 (M⁺—Cl).

1. A compound in the form of a metallized tetrpyrollic photosensizerlinked to a fluorescent dye.
 2. The compound of claim 1 where thephotosensitizer (PS), is linked by essentially any structure that doesnot have detrimental radiation emmitance or absorbing characteristics,to a fluorophore, usually a cyanine dye (CD). The photosensitizer inaccordance the invention is a metallized analog of porphyrins, chlorins,purpurinimides, bacterio pupurinimides, phthalocyanines, expandedporphyrins, benzoporphyrin derivatives and purpurins. The fluorophore isusually a cyanine dye with variable substituents.
 3. The compound ofclaim 1 having the formula:

where R₁ is, substituted or unsubstituted, —CH═CH₂, —CHO, COON, or

where R₉═—OR₁₀ where R₁₀ is lower alkyl of 1 through 8 carbon atoms, or—(CH₂—O)_(n)CH₃; R₂, R_(2a), R₃, R_(3a), R₄, R₅, R_(5a), R₇, and R_(7a)are independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, loweralkylene or substituted lower alkylene or two R₂, R_(2a), R₃, and R_(3a)groups on adjacent carbon atoms may be taken together to form a covalentbond or two R₂, R_(2a), R_(3,) R_(3a), R₅, R_(5a), R₇, and R_(7a) groupson the same carbon atom may form a double bond to a divalent pendantgroup; R₂ and R₃ may together form a 5 or 6 membered heterocyclic ringcontaining oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur; R₆ is —CH₂—, —NR₁₁—, where R₁₁is, substituted or unsubstituted, lower alkyl, or lower alkylene; or aR₆ is a covalent bond; R₈ is —(CH₂)₂CO₂R₁₂ where R₁₂ is a non-toxicfluorescent dye group that causes the conjugate to preferentially emit(fluoresce) at a wave length of 800 to about 900 nm and M is In, Ga orPd.
 4. The compound of claim 1 having the formula:


5. A method for determining effectiveness of PDT by comparing proportionof STAT-3 monomer with crosslinked STAT-3 dimer after PDT where therelative proportion of STAT-3 monomer to crosslinked STAT-3 directlycorrelates to efficacy of the PDT.
 6. The method of claim 5 where therelative proportion of STAT-3 monomer to crosslinked STAT-3 isdetermined by electrophoresis.